KitKat dark offers brand first for Nestlé with its cocoa income accelerator scheme
Nestlé has made a major addition to its core KitKat brand with the delivery of its 70% dark variety, as sales of the classic confectionery continue to remain among its best performing in the segment, writes Neill Barston.
As the company explained to Confectionery Production, the new offering is available for a limited period, joining a broad array of flavours for the series, which has recently expanded to include a vegan option in response to a core rise in global demand.
Notably, in a first for KitKat and Nestlé Confectionery in the UK and Ireland, the dark chocolate bar is made with cocoa mass sourced from families enrolled in the company’s cocoa income accelerator programme.
As the business explained, this builds on the long-standing work of the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, which has been in place since 2009, the income accelerator programme is the next chapter of work that aims to improve the livelihoods of cocoa-farming families and their communities. It also focusses on advancing regenerative agriculture practices, which aim to protect, preserve and restore natural resources for generations to come. Additionally, the programme aims to empower women as agents for positive change, encourage school enrolment, and support farming communities in diversifying their income streams.
Hannah Boyle, Brand Manager for KitKat at Nestlé UK & Ireland, said: “The introduction of KitKat 70% Dark to our range of iconic chocolate bars is a great way to kick off the new year. The combination of our signature crispy wafer and the rich, smooth dark chocolate creates a truly indulgent experience that we’re confident chocolate fans will love.
“And while the bar is delicious, we’re also proud of how it has been made – with cocoa mass sourced from families enrolled in the income accelerator programme.
“While chocolate fans enjoy their KitKat 70% Dark, they can learn a little bit more about how their break is helping to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farming families and their communities by scanning the QR code on the pack.”
More information about the income accelerator programme and Nestlé’s commitment to sustainability and responsibly sourced cocoa can be found on the Nestlé website at www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/income-accelerator-programme.
KitKat 70% Dark is suitable for vegetarians and contains no artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives. It joins the line-up of popular KitKat variants, including the classic KitKat 4 Finger, KitKat Chunky, and KitKat 2 Finger. It is the latest in a long line of offerings for the brand, which originated in 1935 as the Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp, produced in York, which stands as the birthplace of the KitKat, which came under Nestlé’s ownership in recent decades.